We propose a revolutionary way of studying the sur-face of Mars using a
wind-driven network of mobile sensors- Gone with the Wind ON_Mars (GOWON).
GOWON is envisioned to be a scalable, 100% self energy-generating and
distributed system that allows in-situ mapping of a wide range of phenomena in
a much larger portion of the surface of Mars compared to earlier missions. It
could radically improve the possibility of finding rare phenomena like bio
signatures through random wind-driven search. It could explore difficult
terrains that were beyond the reach of previous missions, such as regions with
very steep slopes, cluttered surfaces and/or sand dunes; GOWON is envisioned as
an on going mission with a long life span. It could achieve any of NASA's
scientific objectives on Mars in a cost-effective way, leaving a long lasting
sensing and searching infrastructure on Mars. GOWON is a 2012 Step B invitee
for NASA Innovative Advanced Concept (NIAC). It addresses the challenge area of
the Mars Surface System Capabilities area. We believe the challenge to be
near-term, i.e., 2018-2024
